Visakhapatnam, Oct 26 (NationPress) England's skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt stated that the squad decided against risking Sophie Ecclestone’s health during their eight-wicket victory in the last group stage match against New Zealand at the Women’s World Cup, with a significant semi-final matchup looming against South Africa in Guwahati on October 29.

During the match at the ACA-VDCA Stadium on Sunday, Sophie injured her left shoulder early on, managing to bowl only four deliveries, which included claiming the wicket of Brooke Halliday, before having to exit the field and not return to bowl for the remainder of the innings.

"I don’t have any further updates, but it was certainly a precautionary measure. With a critical match against South Africa on the horizon, we didn’t want to take any chances. More information will be available in a few days," Nat conveyed during the post-match presentation.

In Sophie’s absence, Linsey Smith stepped up with impressive figures of 3-30, supported by Nat, Alice Capsey, and Charlie Dean, who collectively bowled out New Zealand for 168 runs. "Danni Wyatt-Hodge made an impact, but Sophia Dunkley has been more active in the nets, so we opted for her. This also allowed Alice Capsey to bowl a few more overs, and she has been fantastic in executing her deliveries," Nat elaborated.

Reflecting on the team's performance in the eight-wicket victory over New Zealand, Nat expressed, "We aimed to deliver a strong performance today, trusting our methods and strategies throughout this tournament. I’m thrilled with our execution and the confidence it brings as we head into the semi-final."

"Being proactive in the middle order was essential, especially given the conditions today. Reinforcing our plans with the ball and ensuring high execution was necessary. As a team, demonstrating our commitment through energetic fielding in the heat was crucial. I’m pleased to lead the girls as captain today," she added.

Nat also praised wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones, who scored an impressive 86 not out off 92 balls, including 11 fours and a six, marking her highest score in the ODI World Cup. "She was outstanding, starting a fantastic partnership with Tammy Beaumont."

During the fielding innings, Nat noted, "When the ball was still hard, it was easier to play, and they navigated that well. Having Amy at the end is vital, and I hope it boosts their confidence heading into the semi-final."

Amy, who was awarded Player of the Match, mentioned that the win over New Zealand boosts their confidence for the semi-final after their earlier loss to Australia. "I found it quite challenging and frustrating, but Tammy eased the pressure at the start," she commented.

"It’s incredibly exciting to reach the semi-final and finish second; we’re all very pleased with that. We’ve shown resilience, bouncing back from a poor performance quickly. This will undoubtedly instill confidence for the semi-final," she added.

On Sophie retiring from ODIs, Amy remarked, "It’s wonderful for Sophie to receive this recognition. She’s a true legend of the game, and it’s evident how much she means to the Kiwis and the broader women’s game, both on and off the field."

–IANS